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Explore the World with Shorebirds! 9
SHOREBIRDSISTER SCHOOLSPROGRAM
Why Teach
About
Shorebirds?
With all the curricula
that already exist on
specialized topics,
the natural question
arises, why should
teachers use this one?
While at first glance
the focus appears to
be on shorebirds only,
a closer look reveals
that these lessons
teach a broad range
of scientific concepts
and offer a global
connection to other
students, scientists,
and educators.
Consider what makes
this program unique.
Shorebirds Are a Theme Easily
Integrated into Many Subjects!
■ The sheer magnitude of what
shorebirds accomplish in their
efforts to survive is truly amazing
and a great tie in to numerous
subjects. For example, Hawaii has
a rich culture that incorporates
its most well-known shorebird,
the Kolea or Pacific-Golden
Plover, into its chants, hulas, and
folklore. The Kolea provides a
great opportunity to teach about
science, but it also brings in
history and social studies.
■ Calculating distances and
mapping where these birds
migrate also make great
opportunities for bringing math
and geography into the classroom
in a relevant and fun way.
Curriculum Activities Are Correlated
with National Education Standards!
■ This provides justification to your
school administrators for your
time in the classroom and field
trip expenses.
Shorebirds Are a Hook
for Habitat Conservation!
■ By learning about and protecting
shorebirds, you are protecting
an entire ecosystem and all flora
and fauna that depend on these
important natural areas.
Shorebirds Are Found
Throughout North America!
■ Because of the migratory nature
of shorebirds, at some time during
the year, shorebirds can be seen
in all 50 United States, allowing
many people to participate in this
program.
Shorebirds Connect
Us Internationally!
■ Shorebirds are among the longest
distance migrants of the bird
world.
■ The Shorebird Sister Schools
Program (SSSP) can connect your
field site and education program
to many different countries and
cultures through the E-mail
Network, Web site, and pen pal
components of the program.
■ Geography, history, foreign
language and culture are
incorporated into what first
appears to be a science program.
It Is Easy to Schedule Field Trips!
■ Shorebirds migrate in huge flocks
and stop at the same places at
relatively predictable times of the
year. This allows for advanced
planning of educational events,
festivals, and field trips.
■ School children along the flyways
can actively observe and report
on the migration of shorebirds
through their communities to the
Shorebird Sister Schools Web
site.
Shorebirds Are Fun to Watch!
■ The sheer number, variety, and
behaviors of shorebirds make
them an intriguing, observable
species to teach and learn about.
Shorebirds Need Your Help!
■ Shorebirds can tell us a lot about
the overall health of the habitats
in which they live. They are also
part of our earth’s incredible
biodiversity. Scientists fear
that many shorebird populations
are declining largely due to the
loss of habitat and pollution. To
protect shorebirds and their
habitat means to protect the very
environment we all depend on.

Explore the World with Shorebirds! 9
SHOREBIRDSISTER SCHOOLSPROGRAM
Why Teach
About
Shorebirds?
With all the curricula
that already exist on
specialized topics,
the natural question
arises, why should
teachers use this one?
While at first glance
the focus appears to
be on shorebirds only,
a closer look reveals
that these lessons
teach a broad range
of scientific concepts
and offer a global
connection to other
students, scientists,
and educators.
Consider what makes
this program unique.
Shorebirds Are a Theme Easily
Integrated into Many Subjects!
■ The sheer magnitude of what
shorebirds accomplish in their
efforts to survive is truly amazing
and a great tie in to numerous
subjects. For example, Hawaii has
a rich culture that incorporates
its most well-known shorebird,
the Kolea or Pacific-Golden
Plover, into its chants, hulas, and
folklore. The Kolea provides a
great opportunity to teach about
science, but it also brings in
history and social studies.
■ Calculating distances and
mapping where these birds
migrate also make great
opportunities for bringing math
and geography into the classroom
in a relevant and fun way.
Curriculum Activities Are Correlated
with National Education Standards!
■ This provides justification to your
school administrators for your
time in the classroom and field
trip expenses.
Shorebirds Are a Hook
for Habitat Conservation!
■ By learning about and protecting
shorebirds, you are protecting
an entire ecosystem and all flora
and fauna that depend on these
important natural areas.
Shorebirds Are Found
Throughout North America!
■ Because of the migratory nature
of shorebirds, at some time during
the year, shorebirds can be seen
in all 50 United States, allowing
many people to participate in this
program.
Shorebirds Connect
Us Internationally!
■ Shorebirds are among the longest
distance migrants of the bird
world.
■ The Shorebird Sister Schools
Program (SSSP) can connect your
field site and education program
to many different countries and
cultures through the E-mail
Network, Web site, and pen pal
components of the program.
■ Geography, history, foreign
language and culture are
incorporated into what first
appears to be a science program.
It Is Easy to Schedule Field Trips!
■ Shorebirds migrate in huge flocks
and stop at the same places at
relatively predictable times of the
year. This allows for advanced
planning of educational events,
festivals, and field trips.
■ School children along the flyways
can actively observe and report
on the migration of shorebirds
through their communities to the
Shorebird Sister Schools Web
site.
Shorebirds Are Fun to Watch!
■ The sheer number, variety, and
behaviors of shorebirds make
them an intriguing, observable
species to teach and learn about.
Shorebirds Need Your Help!
■ Shorebirds can tell us a lot about
the overall health of the habitats
in which they live. They are also
part of our earth’s incredible
biodiversity. Scientists fear
that many shorebird populations
are declining largely due to the
loss of habitat and pollution. To
protect shorebirds and their
habitat means to protect the very
environment we all depend on.